I’ve had 2 books to review, sitting on my kitchen counter since December. And I’m just now getting around to review them. Needless to say, time has gotten away from me somehow and I’m still trying (mostly unsuccessfully) to wrangle it. Emily von Euw‘s 100 Best Juices, Smoothies, And Healthy Snacks is the first of those 2 books.

photo via Emily von Euw

I love snacks and when I’m not working full time, I make an effort to have healthy snacks around the house but now that I am working, well, not so much. When it came time to review the book, my thoughts immediately went to snacks. Quick and easy to prepare snacks to be exact. Don’t get me wrong, I drooled over all of the gorgeous smoothies and juices (some of which had me trying to figure out how I could fit a juicer in my kitchen) in the first half of the book and I was particularly intrigued by the savory smoothies. But what really got me inspired was the Energy Bars & Healthy Snacks chapter.

I love all of the healthy, energy-packed recipes in this chapter, all made with nutritionally-dense, whole foods ingredients. Dates, nuts, seeds, oats, coconut oil are all major players here and most of the recipes have only 2 to 3 steps. Totally right up my alley.

The first recipe I made was the Coco Oat Bars with Peanut Butter and Carob. I was incredibly pleased with the delicious rewards that very little effort produced. I used cocoa powder instead of carob, but that chocolate date topping? I would be lying if I didn’t eat a bunch by spoon.

photo via Kristy’s iPhone

The second recipe I made was the Green Earth Orbs. I’ve always seen these sorts of snacks around the interwebs. I don’t know why I’ve never attempted making them myself because they are wonderful! These little energy balls are packed with walnuts, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, dates, and coconut oil. You then have the option of coating them with coconut or cinnamon and because I can only tolerate coconut in very small amounts and I’d already made the aforementioned bars so I opted for the cinnamon. Only, because I’m such a raging chocoholic, I mixed in a couple teaspoons of cocoa powder in with the cinnamon because I gots to get my fix, yo.

We loved these little guys. I brought them to the office for a few days and Chris and I (I work in the same office as my husband, in case you didn’t know) had them as our afternoon snack along with our afternoon tea. The provided a much-needed delicious break, giving us fuel to get through the the next few hours of work. Loved them! And fortunately for the rest of you, Page Street Publishing is allowing me to share the recipe for these little orbs of goodness!

These orbs have a delicious, deep nutty flavor and are positively packed with
healthy nuts and seeds that will make your skin glow and your body sing!

Ingredients

1 cup (31 g) walnuts

1 cup (64 g) pumpkin seeds

½ cup (72 g) chia seeds

1 cup (152 g) pitted dates

2 tbsp (27 g) coconut oil

¼ tsp Himalayan salt

1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

Pulse the nuts and seeds into powder in a food processor, then add the rest of the ingredients and process until it all begins to stick together. Try rolling a small handful into a ball. If it works, roll the rest of the mixture into balls. If it is still too crumbly, add more coconut oil or dates. Roll the balls in coconut and cinnamon for extra flavor and nutrition.

3.1

Emily von Euw and Page Street Publishing have been so kind as to let me give away a copy of 100 Best Juices, Smoothies, and Healthy Snacks! The giveaway is open to US and Canada only and will run until 11:59 pm on February 9th. To enter, please leave a comment telling me about your favorite quick and easy snack. The winner will be chosen at random.

Thank you all for stopping by today and thank you so much to Emily von Euw and Page Street Publishing for letting me review this wonderful book!

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book to review but all thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

My favorite quick and easy snack is a homemade trail mix with peanuts, raisins, cashews, almonds and dried cranberries. I like to have protein balls made up in advance, too, so I will definitely be trying these!

I I am new to being Vegan. 7 days exactally today so I do not have any favorite snacks in my aresenal yet. But I did make Quinoa enchilada casserole yesterday that was so yummy. It was quick and easy and I have been snacking on it for two days now.

It’s so hard to pick just one favourite snack!! When I’m at work and short on prep time, I love home made granola/protein bars. When I’m at home and have more time to sit and relax I really enjoy cottage cheese with granola and berries. I know it’s not vegan – but I let myself eat whatever I am craving one day a week 🙂

I am SO making these little green earth orbs! I always have little raw snacks like these available for when I get a sugar craving but need a healthy fix instead.Thalia @ butter and brioche recently posted…Blackberry and Lime Financiers

Why do publishers think that potential vegan customers only live in the US? There is a huge market across the pond that are being alienated by these giveaways. It would be very simple to offer a digital version of the book if money was too tight to pay for overseas postage. I am afraid that here are two more books that I won’t be buying 🙁

Hi Frances, I understand your disappointment. I don’t think it’s because they don’t think vegan customers live in other countries. Unfortunately, I think that the cost of shipping a book to another country (multiple times as there are usually a lot of blogs doing the same giveaway) is not cost-effective for the publisher as the fees can sometimes come to more than the cost of the book itself. It’s not the blogger’s choice- they are given the giveaway rules by the publisher. I’m sorry if this offends you. Also, I’m not sure what 2 books you are referring to as I’m only giving away one book here. THank you for your feedback, though. Take care.

Hi, thank you for your reply. The giveaway could offer a digital version of the book of the winner lived overseas. That would be even cheaper for the publisher. And sorry I did misread your post about it being one book. I do enjoy your blog, thank you.

I like to make a large batch of healthy breakfast cookies (usually experimental depending on what ingredients I have), and put them in the freezer. When I have a craving or want a snack, I pop one or two in a toaster oven and it’s good to go!

I love snaking on Orbs! I cut the recipe in half and substituted 1/2c. pecans for the pumpkin seeds. I make similar “orbs” but call them BONOBO’S named after a raw restaurant in New York. Sadly the place is no there or no longer in business which is a shame; their menu items including the BONOBO’s were very good.